Checkers Edge Richmond 2-1 In A Shootout
March 9, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
Charlotte, NC- March 8, 2003: The stubborn Charlotte Checkers refuse to give up in their quest for a playoff spot in the East Coast Hockey League's Northeast Division. The Checkers pulled out another victory, their sixth in their last seven games, in a 2-1 shootout win over the Richmond Renegades Saturday night at Cricket Arena. Checkers goalie Scott Meyer was peppered with 52 shots in three periods of regulation and the five-minute, sudden death overtime, but only allowed one goal. He stopped three of four Richmond shooters in the shootout to earn his 18th win. Doug Christiansen scored the lone Charlotte goal in regulation, while Dave Inman, Kevin Caulfield and Allan Egeland all scored for the Checkers in the shootout. The Checkers are 6-0 in shootouts this season. Charlotte remains seven points out of the fo! urth and final playoff spot in the Northeast Division with 68 points, trailing both Trenton and Roanoke who have 75.
"We didn't make some good decisions with the puck tonight but we came through when it counted," said Checkers Head Coach Don MacAdam. "We were also shorthanded tonight without Konrad McKay (suspension) and Jeff State (callup) but the guys pulled together."
The Checkers reached into their own backyard for help with the signing of forward Mike Hartman before Saturday's game. Hartman played a season and a half for the Checkers but retired two years ago after several nagging injuries. "It was great to be back here tonight," commented Hartman. "I want to thank Don MacAdam for giving me this opportunity. Whether it's one game or 12 more, I'm ready to help out if I'm needed"
The two teams played to a scoreless tie at the end of the first period. Both goalkeepers faced their share of first period shots, as the Renegades outshot the Checkers slightly at 15-14.
At 4:19 of the second period the Checkers grabbed first blood as Christiansen tipped in a David Evans shot for a 1-0 Charlotte lead. Near the end of the second period Charlotte had to weather a serious Richmond storm. The Renegades held the pick in the Checkers zone for nearly two minutes and peppered Meyer with eight shots. Charlotte weathered the storm, however, and went to the locker room with their 1-0 lead intact. Through two periods the Renegades outshot the Checkers 35-26
Richmond finally broke a 120-minute scoring drought against the Checkers and Meyer at 3:21 of the third period as Jonathan Zion fired in a wrist shot on a power play to knot the score at 1-1. The teams battled the rest of the third period and the overtime session with no further scoring, sending the game to the shootout.
The Checkers record improved to 33-25-2 for 68 points, while the Renegades fell to 30-29-4 for 64 points. Charlotte will open up a five-game week this Tuesday with a visit to Roanoke for a 7:05 p.m. face-off.
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- Bears Look to Get Back to Winning Ways Tonight against Senators - Hershey Bears
- Petersen and Sivek Score Two Goals Each in 4-3 Win over Hershey - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Checkers Edge Richmond 2-1 In A Shootout - Charlotte Checkers
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